Page 1273 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 5 May 2015
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performance. Therefore, the committee has recommended that the ACT government look to revise its information systems in order to facilitate the recording and reporting of timeliness measures for non-elective surgery.
The committee also recommends that the ACT government consider establishing targets to measure how effectively the diversion to other healthcare and human services management programs is working to reduce frequent re-presentation at emergency departments.
In relation to the Community Services Directorate, the committee recommends that CSD develop key performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of seniors programs funded through government grants. It also recommends that the ACT government report on re-substantiation rates for child protection reports in future Community Services Directorate annual reports. Apparently this data is already tracked but is not currently reported. That data would help complete the picture around child concern reporting.
In relation to data collection, the committee recommends that the ACT government consider better ways of collecting data in relation to contacts with the Women’s Information and Referral Centre so as to provide better future reporting of outreach and other types of contacts through the centre.
In other health-related matters, the committee recommended that the ACT government undertake additional efforts to ensure that hospital staff comply with handwashing guidelines. The committee heard that the Health Directorate has established education campaigns for staff and patients, as well as audit processes, but was advised that the compliance with handwashing requirements was better amongst some occupational groups than others. The committee noted that although the ACT exceeded the national target of 70 per cent, there is still significant room for improvement.
The committee also made a range of recommendations relating to awareness of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, transport information for seniors, communication around indexation of community grants, improving tenant satisfaction in community facilities, numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out of home care, foster care availability, and involvement in the human services blueprint by frequent re-presentation patients.
In conclusion, the committee thanks the ministers and directorate officials for their time and cooperation during the inquiry. I would also like to thank my fellow committee members—Mr Wall, Ms Lawder and Ms Fitzharris, as well as Ms Berry, who was a member of the committee during this inquiry. I commend the report to the Assembly.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
Public Accounts—Standing Committee
Report 12
MR SMYTH (Brindabella) (10.07): I present the following report:
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